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Story highlights
- Federer calls Wimbledon win a "dream scenario"
- Says prospect of winning US Open is "a joke"
Wimbledon (CNN)They said he was finished -- that, without a grand slam title for almost five years, his glory days were behind him.
Roger Federer clearly wasn't listening; he's played two grand slam events in 2017 and won them both.
Thanks to a shrewd and shortened schedule, the 35-year-old's match win percentage this season (93.9%) doesn't just blow away his modern-day contemporaries, it even rivals his own golden standards between 2004 and 2007.
There are few players more self-assured on the ATP Tour, but even Federer hadn't dared dream of this.
"I was hoping that things were going to play out nicely and that I was going to be in contention in the second week at Wimbledon," he told CNN Sport Monday as he reflected on his straight sets win over Marin Cilic in the men's final.
"To win it altogether? It's like the dream scenario that you hope happens but you're so cautious that you never really want to go there mentally."
Federer's victory on Sunday handed the Swiss a record eighth Wimbledon singles title, and his 19th major overall.
Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his eighth singles title at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017. Federer beat Croatia's Marin Cilic, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer waves to the crowed after his victory.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Marin Cilic congratulates Federer at the net after their match.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic wipes his face with a towel during his match with Federer.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer stretches to play a forehand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic plays double-handed backhand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic reacts after hitting the ball into the net.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic receives treatment to his foot during a medical timeout.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
An emotional Cilic receives assistance during his loss to Federer.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic tumbles as Federer chases down a return.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic plays a running forehand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer hits a return.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer serves at the beginning of the match.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer and Cilic entertain a packed Centre Court during the men's final on day 13 of Wimbledon.
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He didn't drop a set all tournament at the All England Club this year -- the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to do so -- barely breaking sweat over the last fortnight.
Friend and long-time nemesis Rafa Nadal could have closed the gap between them to just two in Melbourne, but now Federer is poised for magical grand slam number 20.
ATP Tour season win percentages
93.9% - Roger Federer [33 matches]
86.8% - Rafa Nadal [53]
80.0% - Novak Djokovic [40]
75.8% - Jo-Wilfried Songa [33]
74.3% - Milos Raonic [35]
71.4% - Andy Murray [35]
"That would be a joke, if I won three slams this year out of nowhere," said Federer, looking ahead to Flushing Meadows.
"I know if I stay in shape there are chances for me to do well at the US Open, but to win it? Yeah, at some stage I almost feel like I have to be realistic."
"I am not 25 anymore. I'm not sure I can win three slams in one year. Winning two is already pretty crazy and plenty good enough for me."
Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his eighth singles title at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017. Federer beat Croatia's Marin Cilic, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer waves to the crowed after his victory.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Marin Cilic congratulates Federer at the net after their match.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic wipes his face with a towel during his match with Federer.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer stretches to play a forehand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic plays double-handed backhand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic reacts after hitting the ball into the net.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic receives treatment to his foot during a medical timeout.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
An emotional Cilic receives assistance during his loss to Federer.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic tumbles as Federer chases down a return.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Cilic plays a running forehand.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer hits a return.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer serves at the beginning of the match.
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Photos: Roger Federer wins eighth Wimbledon
Federer and Cilic entertain a packed Centre Court during the men's final on day 13 of Wimbledon.
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He won't be pinching himself just yet. Every time the Swiss has won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in a single season, he has also gone on to lift the US Open trophy (2004, 2006 and 2007).
"I'll definitely try and get myself organized, prepared and ready so that I'll have the best chance to do well at the US Open," said Federer.
Stranger things have happened.
